Dec 19, 2010

Order of worship

Dec. 19, 2010

Call to Worship

Good Morning and Happy Lord’s day

This is the fourth week of Advent. Just one week till Christmas.  The day we celebrate our Savior’s birth.  We will be lighting our fourth advent candle this morning to represent our anticipation of the celebration of Jesus first coming and to draw our attention to the fact that he is coming again.  And tonight we will have a special Christmas Candlelight Service to celebrate the coming of the light of the world.  So I would like to invite all of you to come back tonight at 6pm and be sure to invite some family and friends to come as well.  And if you are able, bring your favorite Christmas desert and afterwards we will have some desert and hot chocolate and coffee…

Psalm 34:1-3&8

1. I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2. My soul makes its boast in the Lord;

Let the humble hear and be glad.

3. Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

And let us exalt his name together!

8. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

Stand with me and let us join together in praising our Lord in prayer and singing.

Prayer of Praise

Lord, you are great and greatly to be praised.  You have made our hearts glad and we rejoice this morning because you have looked down on our humble estate and done great things for us.  You have poured out your grace on us.  And we want to respond to that grace this morning by worshipping you.  Lord, blot out our iniquities.  Create in us a clean heart and renew a right Spirit within us.  Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit that our worship might be acceptable in your sight. 

We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Intro to: What Child is this?

The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and said, “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” Luke 2:31-32

Song 1: What Child is This?

Intro to: Away in a manger

While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth.  And she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:4-7)

Song 2: away in a manger

Intro to: angels we have heard on high

Angels we have heard on high, announcing our Savior’s birth and praising God and singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.”  (Luke 2:14)

Song 3: Angels We Have Heard on High

Intro to: o little town of bethlehem

Congregational Reading

Micah 5:2-5

But you, O Bethlehem…, who are too little to be of among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.  Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.  And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.  And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.  And he shall be their peace…

Song 4: O Little Town of Bethlehem

Prayer of COnfession for Offering

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. 19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

Heavenly Father, we ask that you would forgive us for our covetousness.  For our idolatry.  For loving the things of this world more than you in our words, thoughts and actions.  Lord we need your help.  You have promised to provide for the needs of your children.  And we give you glory because you have given us much.  Lord, help us to be content with what you have given.  Fill us to overflowing with a love for you and others that motivates us to give generously and joyfully as channels of your grace and mercy.  Lord, occupy our hearts and minds with joy and satisfaction in you in such a way that the things of this world will pale in comparison.  

We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Offering

Intro to: go tell it on the mountain

Like the shepherds, We have heard the good news of great joy and we have believed and we must let that light shine that others may see and glorify our Father in heaven.

Song 5: Go tell it on the Mountain

Intro to: i heard the bells

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end… (Isaiah 9:6-7)

SOng 6: I heard the Bells

Scripture Reading (Luke 1:26-35)

Prayer of Illumination

Sermon

Prayer of intercession

Song of Benediction: Go tell it on the mountain

dismiss